Wild West Christmas: A Family for the RancherDance with a CowboyChristmas in Smoke River

by Jenna Kernan

  “Mama?”

  She blinked. Lily. She pulled from his grasp, gathered her skirt and was halfway up to the wagon seat when she felt his hands on her waist, helping the rest of the way.

  Back at Molly’s, he set up the tree and then took the ax and tools back to the shed. Leaving Lily with Molly and a cup of hot cocoa, Kathleen followed him.

  “Get back inside, Kathleen. You don’t have your cloak on.” He stood at the door to the shed, looping the rope they’d used around his hand and elbow.

  “Will you stay and help decorate?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve got chores at the ranch.”

  She tried not to let her disappointment show. “It’s been a good day. A perfect day...for Lily. Thank you for that.”

  He acknowledged her words with a quick nod and then hung the coil of rope over a long peg.

  Was it her imagination or was he distancing himself somehow? She took a deep breath, unsure how much to say without sounding ungrateful toward her family. “Lily hasn’t had many of those. I haven’t, either.”

  He searched her face. “Explain that.”

  “After...moving to the city, things changed between me and my parents. Seemed I could never do enough to please them. It was like walking on wet sand, the surface shifting beneath my feet. I never could find my balance. I had been a disappointment beyond anything they could forgive. And by extension, so had Lily. To even mention the name Sheridan would set them off.”

  “You never should have left here.”

  “They weren’t like that at first. Only later.” When Lily had made her presence known in Kathleen’s burgeoning shape and her situation could no longer be hidden. “I needed help.”

  “I would—” He stopped and amended his words. “We would have helped you.”

  “I didn’t believe that then and...I was afraid.” She stood on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss on his cheek. “I believe it now.”

  With those four simple words, she realized that she’d crossed a chasm. She trusted him—and the thought overwhelmed her. It wasn’t with just her physical safety, it was with her daughter...and quite possibly her heart.

  She turned and walked across the yard and into the house.

  Chapter Seven

  The morning of the Community Christmas Dance, Lucy cornered Kathleen in the bakery and again urged her to go, promising to help watch Lily. Molly had said as much—several times. Women were in short supply in the small gold-mining town and a nice turnout of the feminine gender would make for a lively dance. Sue closed the bakery early in the afternoon so that they could get ready.

  When Kathleen burst through the front door of Molly’s, she found Lily twirling around the parlor, her new white Christmas dress flying out around her legs. “Mama! Mama! Look! Look at me!”

  Kathleen smiled in spite of her harried thoughts. And then she went stock-still. In her daughter’s hair was pinned a baby-blue ribbon with slightly frayed ends. The same ribbon that had been tied around the old book of sonnets.

  “Where did you get that?”

  At her tone, the shining excitement disappeared from Lily’s face. “I found it in the trunk. Look! It matches my dress.”

  So it did. Kathleen hated to have been the one to dampen her daughter’s day. “I’m sorry I snapped at you,” she said. “It startled me—seeing that ribbon after so long.”

  Lily tugged at the bow. “I’ll take it out, Mama. I don’t want you sad.”

  Kathleen stilled her daughter’s hand. “No. Leave it.” She patted her hair back into place and smiled into her daughter’s eyes. “You look lovely.”

  She looked up and found Molly watching the exchange. “Well. It appears you are both ready and I am the one who is late. Just give me two shakes of a lamb’s tail and I’ll be ready.”

  “It’s okay, Mama,” Lily said, her sunny nature returning. “Aunt Molly says it is better to be a little late.”

  “Oh? Why is that?”

  “Well...so everyone can see me when I walk in, of course!”

  Kathleen laughed as her daughter twirled around once more and skipped from the room.

  Later, when she stepped outside with Lily, the fine mist floating in the stillness lent a magical quality to the evening. Molly had left earlier to help set out the food at the social, leaving Kathleen and Lily to walk to the dance on their own. Kathleen couldn’t help it—she was nervous about this first foray back into the social life of the community. It had been years since she had done anything lighthearted or fun. Events like dancing hadn’t existed for her after having Lily. And yet excitement raced just beneath the surface of her thoughts. She’d see Garrett tonight! And maybe instead of seeing her as a sister-in-law or Lily’s mother, he would look at her as a woman. She drew in a shaky breath. And what would she do if he did?

  Lily’s small hand slipped into hers. The look in her eyes mirrored Kathleen’s feelings. She squeezed her daughter’s hand. “Your first party! Excited?”

  Lily nodded.

  “Me, too.” She let her daughter lead her on to the town hall, where music spilled out onto the street.

  * * *

  She had come.

  Garrett stopped in the doorway and watched Kathleen dance with Eduardo. The dark green dress she wore hugged her small waist and would have shown a lot more creamy skin but for the wine-colored shawl she had pinned loosely around her shoulders. As it was, he—as well as every other buck in the room—got a small teasing glimpse of lace at her neckline. She’d pulled the blond hair that framed her face back into a loose, curly tail, held there by a matching red bow, and let the rest of her hair hang free.

  “Hello, Garrett. Garrett?”

  He pulled his gaze away from Kathleen and found Lucy Mae at his side. He tipped his hat, and then remembering where he was, took it off.

  Lucy smirked. “It’s no secret who you want to dance with, but it looks like you’ll have to stand in line. While you’re waiting, could you help Alan bring in a few more tables from the restaurant? There’s a bigger crowd than last year.”

  “Sure thing, Lucy.”

  “Good. And save me a dance? You owe me after bowing out last year.”

  He stifled a smile. “Glad you don’t hold long grudges. Anything else?”

  “No. That will do.”

  “At your service.” He handed his hat and leather duster to her to hang up. She rolled her eyes in friendly exasperation. After all, he was helping with the tables. An even exchange.

  Kathleen kept dancing, kept laughing. When she stopped, old school friends gathered around and she introduced them to her daughter. Seemed she was having a good time. He wanted to catch her for a dance, but was nervous just the same. What exactly did that peck she’d given him on the cheek mean? Thanks? Or something more? He’d tried to focus on that and not put anything more into the act as he helped set up the tables and a few more chairs.

  When he finally stopped to rest, Paul approached.

  “You’re lookin’ a mite tied and dragged. Figured you could use some liquid courage,” Paul said with a smirk, and handed him a mug of spiced cider. “To hear the women talk, you’re a regular saint with all the help you’re giving old Widow Birdwell.”

  “Not if you could read my thoughts.”

  “Not so noble? Fancy that.”

  “Shut up, Paul. Go dance or something. Mabel has been eyeing you all night.”

  “Well, the company would be an improvement.”

  Garrett fell silent again as his gaze found Kathleen. She was with Lucy in the midst of a cluster of women. Talking. Always talking. What the heck did females find so interesting to say?

  Slowly he became aware of a small dark-haired figure at his hip. Lily.

  “How do, Miss Lily. You havin’ a good time?”

 
A small sniffle escaped.

  Uh-oh. He crouched down to her level. “What’s wrong?”

  She took two shaky breaths, her lower lip trembling. “Tommy Mulligan spilled punch all over my new dress!” She held up the offending material. A smear of pink stained the hemline.

  He glanced up at Paul. How did one handle a situation like this? Paul looked just as perplexed as he was. Garrett swallowed.

  “Well, now. Boys can be clumsy at times. Comes with growing too fast.”

  Her china-doll eyes widened. “Tommy can’t help growing.”

  “No. That he can’t. And I’ll tell you another thing about boys. They ’bout never say they’re sorry.”

  “Why?”

  “Comes real hard to them. Harder than just about anything else. Just ask my friend here, Mr. Ham.”

  She looked up at Paul and then seemed to ponder Garrett’s words. “Di...did you spill punch?”

  Mesmerized by her large brown eyes, so like Josh’s, he vaguely realized his leg had started to cramp in his crouched position. He rose to his full height. “Happened a time or two.”

  Lily heaved a big sigh...and her small hand slipped into his.

  He stood stock-still. He’d been content that she was finally talking to him, but this! It was more than he’d hoped for. Warmth spread though him. It humbled him—this acceptance, this trust from Josh’s daughter.

  * * *

  Kathleen could only half listen to the man she’d just danced with, her attention pulled to the unfolding drama at the edge of the room. What was her daughter saying to Garrett? It looked as if she was bombarding him with questions. She wished she were closer so that she could hear! All evening she’d danced with other men when all she really wanted was to find out what it would be like to be in Garrett’s arms.

  “Should I be jealous? Or just offended?” The twinkle in Eduardo’s eyes said he was neither.

  “I’m so sorry!”

  A black brow shot up. “Not the answer I wanted.”

  It had been a long time since anyone flirted with her. “Then—neither. I was curious what my daughter was doing.”

  “Lily? She’s with Señor Garrett.”

  It was a bit disconcerting to realize this stranger knew who her daughter was. “You know the Sheridans?”

  He grinned. “I’ve worked their ranch for two years now.”

  “Oh.”

  “Another dance? If I plan just right, I could maybe stop right under that.” He pointed to a cluster of green dangling from the wagon-wheel chandelier. Mistletoe.

  “Try that move, Eduardo, and I may have to banish you to the north forty for a week.”

  She recognized the deep voice behind her. Eduardo tipped his hat to her, winked and walked away. She turned to face Garrett. “About time you made your way over, Mr. Sheridan.”

  “Took a while to bolster my courage. You’ve been in demand all evening.” He handed her a glass of cider. “Figured you could use that.”

  He waited for her to finish her glass, and then took it from her and set it aside. “You ready?” His invitation to dance might lack finesse, but his gaze was warm as he held out his left hand—warm and hopeful and slightly unsure. Her fingers touched his and shivers raced up her arm. If he noticed, he didn’t say anything. She stepped into his arms for a slow waltz.

  He didn’t talk as he danced, but then she hadn’t expected that of him. She let the music take her, trusting him to maneuver them both around the dance floor. He took her in circles, making her feel deliciously dizzy. Once, when she misstepped, he gripped her tighter and they both laughed.

  “I haven’t heard that enough,” Garrett said. “Your laugh.”

  “I’m just finding it again,” she admitted. “And it’s your fault.”

  A slow smile—full of comprehension—spread across his face.

  Heat rose in her cheeks. “I mean...what I—”

  But his smile only widened...and then he pulled her closer. Her heart did a somersault inside her. There was something special going on here. Was it just friendship? Or more?

  All too soon, the music ended.

  “Thank you for the dance.”

  He bowed slightly. “The pleasure was all mine, ma’am. However, looks like Lucy is glaring at me. Guess that means I’m up for a dance with her.”

  She sighed inwardly, wishing he’d stay by her side. “You do owe her.”

  “I was trying to forget. Excuse me.” He walked toward Lucy as a lively square dance started up. Before long Kathleen realized she was tapping her toe to the music. She was having fun for the first time in years. She sighed happily.

  “Kathleen.”

  She froze, recognizing the voice. Franklin—her brother-in-law. Her spirits plummeted.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t find you?”

  Slowly she turned. “I wasn’t hiding.”

  He stood there in his overcoat and bowler. Snowflakes dotted his shoulders. “You left without telling anyone.”

  “I left a note.”

  He snorted. “And now you’ve had your little holiday.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve come to take you back.”

  Chapter Eight

  Garrett finished the dance with Lucy, fetched her a glass of cider and then turned to head back to Kathleen. He stopped when he saw that she stood with a newcomer. The man wore clothes a cut above the rest of the townsfolk—a black silk vest with a gold watch fob dangling from the pocket, boots that looked to be made from alligator rather than the traditional leather of the area. A man of means.

  “You gonna stand back and let that stranger move in?” Paul said in a low voice, coming to stand beside him.

  “It’s her choice who she wants to talk to.” Even Garrett could hear the underlying tension in his voice.

  “And you can see that if you don’t step in, she don’t have a choice.”

  Garrett pressed his lips together. Sometimes Paul was just too blunt, but he guessed that was why he got along with him. He knew where the man stood. Unfortunately, he didn’t care for his opinion now—probably because it was true.

  “Anyone with eyes in their head can tell you care for her.”

  “It’s complicated, so you just might want to talk on something else since it’s none of your business.” He was pretty sure that wouldn’t stop Paul one bit.

  “You’ve been mooning over her since I first met you. Time you own up to it.”

  “Like I said—it’s not that simple. Go find Lucy and ask her for a dance yourself.”

  “Good idea. I can talk to you any ol’ day.” He cuffed Garrett on the shoulder.

  Once his friend had ambled away, Garrett looked back at Kathleen. What was going on?

  Mr. Gator Boots leaned closer to her. Criminy, but she was pretty tonight with her skin flushed from dancing. She blended right in with all the holiday decorations. But this guy—all silk vest and slicked-back hair—jarred the whole picture. Garrett had a bad feeling about the man.

  He felt a tug at his sleeve. Lily was back. “Tell him to leave my mama alone!”

  At the moment, he could think of nothing he wanted more. He didn’t like the way the man’s body shut out the rest of the room to her. Yet, the way she stood there and answered right back—hands on her hips—seemed she knew him.

  Garrett crouched down again. “Your mother’s a big girl. I expect she can handle herself if she wants him to go away.”

  A scowl marred Lily’s sweet face and made him chuckle. “Tell you what. Let’s head over to Miss Molly and have a piece of her pumpkin pie.”

  Lily’s eyes lit up. “Pumpkin’s my favorite!”

  “Fancy that!” he teased. “Mine, too.”

  They made their way through the me
n, women and children standing around the three tables of food. Apple, mincemeat and pumpkin pie appeared to be the staple fare. The air was thick with their warm aroma. On the far table were cutting boards with rounds of cheese and beside them, jugs of cider.

  “You havin’ a good time?” Molly asked Lily from her place behind the tables. She suddenly whisked out a rolled newspaper and shooed away a fly that had the audacity to test the food before everyone else. “Wish I’d brought my swatter,” she mumbled. “I’d shorten a life, and that’s the truth. That fly don’t know it’s winter. Must have been hiding out for a month just a-waiting for this party.”

  Lily giggled.

  Garrett raised his brows. “Had no idea you were so violent, Miss Molly.”

  “Only when it comes to my pies.”

  Garrett picked up a dessert plate and cut a wedge of pumpkin pie. He looked up to see if Kathleen was coming over when he saw the man grab her arm and move her toward the doorway. He set down the pie. With a glance at Molly, he made it clear she was to watch Lily, and then strode over to Kathleen.

  “Everything all right?”

  Was it his imagination, or did her shoulders relax?

  He nodded to the stranger. “Garrett Sheridan. And around here we don’t manhandle the ladies.”

  The stranger let go of Kathleen’s arm and looked him over. “So you’re a Sheridan. I’ve heard a lot about your family.”

  “Sure it’s all good.”

  Instead of commenting, the man turned back to Kathleen. “Where are you staying?”

  “I’m not going back, Franklin.”

  “Of course you are. Julia is having heart palpitations and your mother is sick with worry.”

  “And Father? Why didn’t he come?”

  “It’s a busy time of year for him.”

  “So he sent you.”

  “I volunteered.” A smile played about the corners of his mouth. His black eyes, however, were cold.

  Kathleen pressed her lips together. “I have a job here and Lily is adjusting to her new surroundings. I’m not going anywhere.”